Job Description

Union: Non-union
Job Number: J0925-0152
Job Title: Investigator
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
City, Province, Country: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Job Location: Toronto
Job Category: Legal
Job Classification: SL
Role Designation: Flexible Hybrid - In person days can be flexible from week to week subject to manager approval and operational requirements.
Open Positions: 1
Posting Date: September 16, 2025
Closing Date: September 23, 2025
Salary: $90,186.96 - $154,117.41/Year
Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.
As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.
If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.
Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Metis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.
Primary function
This position is accountable to the Manager, Investigations. As an investigator, the successful candidate will be responsible for investigating internal/external complaints about lawyers, other service providers, staff and clients.
Typical investigations will include: gathering and analyzing relevant evidence, interviewing witnesses, and writing clear and comprehensive investigation reports. The evidence gathered during the course of these investigations will help ensure Legal Aid Services Act Rules and Policies are followed and clients are provided effective and high-quality legal aid services throughout the Province of Ontario, in a client-focused and accountable manner while ensuring value for money.
Home Location: Provincial Office, Toronto
Secondary/Other Location: Not applicable
Reports to: Manager, Investigations
Department Description
The Investigations Department is responsible for protecting Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) from the misappropriation of assets and resources and for providing strategies to reduce financial and reputational risk to the organization.
The Department is made up of dedicated and hard-working professionals who take pride in their work and are committed to upholding Legal Aid Ontario's mandate. We foster a team environment that is comfortable, friendly, and open-where collaboration and mutual respect are the foundation of our success. It's this strong sense of team spirit that drives our collective efforts and makes our workplace both productive and rewarding.
The Department also acts as the liaison between LAO and the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).
Key accountabilities

• Conduct investigations and prepare detailed investigation reports
• Review lawyer account information and billings submitted by respondent lawyers to ensure compliance with the Rules and Policies
• Establish and execute an investigation plan to manage investigation files to completion
• Interview lawyers, clients, staff, other service providers and third party witnesses to ensure that all relevant information is collected during the course of an investigation
• Develop criteria and analyze data of varying complexity to discern suspicious patterns indicative of non-compliant behaviour
• Prepare reports and findings of investigations for Senior Management, Criminal court hearings, tribunals and internal investigations
• Liaison with Law enforcement agencies
• Testify at internal matters, Law Society of Ontario tribunals and Criminal trials relating to lawyers, other service providers, staff and clients under investigation
• Actively participate in Departmental and Organizational projects

Required skills & experience

• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Minimum five (5) year experience in specific areas of practicing law (criminal, family or immigration and refugee) and/or investigative or regulatory function
• Extensive knowledge of specialized area of law such as criminal, family and/or immigration and refugee
• Excellent knowledge of court practice and procedure (e.g. criminal, family, child protection, mental health), understanding of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada role and processes
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills for dealing with the public and members of the legal profession with emphasis on good listening, probing and negotiation skills
• Litigation experience preferred
• Excellent writing skills including report writing skills
• Experience managing documents and data in an electronic database
• Proven ability to be self-motivated and work independently with strong self-discipline and organizational skills
• Knowledge of the Legal Aid Services Act and the Canada Evidence Act
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize requirements and meet time sensitive deadlines

Team Relationship

• Collaborates with the Department to coordinate investigative and regulatory responses to identified issues involving a variety of investigations.
• Promotes the sharing and transfer of knowledge amongst team members.
• Contributes to the development of standardized practices, guidelines and procedures in the appropriate conduct and resolution of investigation files.
• Manages own caseload while working with team members and colleagues among various departments across LAO to establish, monitor, and improve case management processes and performance targets.

Assets

• Associate Membership or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
• Experience with, and knowledge of concepts, tools and techniques of Open Source intelligence and structured data analysis
• Familiarity with PeopleSoft
• Ability to communicate in both French and English both written and oral.

Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
To apply submit a cover letter & resume.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.
Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.
First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position.
Already have an Njoyn account? Just sign in and select "my jobs" to apply.
Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.
Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.

Skills Required